The Fight for Freedom (Book One in the EDSOR Military Academy Trilogy)

Chapter 39- Legacy

Gerard is looking at me weirdly right now. I feel bubbles forming on my pale and parched lips. I was able to wrench the arrow out of my arm but my heart was already failing. I turned on the speakers for one last time as I looked at my watch. 3:45 pm of a sad Friday.

“Gerard, promise me you’ll be a good leader. I am dying now because of an assassin's arrow. Python saliva. It has already spread like a virus in my body...I may be gone in a few seconds, but always remember that I'll be always there to guide you. Animo….EDSOR, President Gerard. To victory be our goal”

After I said those powerful words, I saw the blood rush out of Gerard's face. He didn't have his helmet on; it was probably knocked off during battle. 

I was estimating that I had five more breaths to go. I guess I’ve done my part in this world. I was destined to fall prey to this arrow. This was my Fate. For sixteen years, I've been preparing, constantly training and covering the backs of other people knowing that my life would always be put on the line. The thought of dying doesn't really strike me like lightning.

 As the Python saliva starts to overwhelm my thoughts, I start to humbly accept the Fate that was handed down to me by the Heavens. I looked up at the sky for one last time, and drowned the last dregs of my conscious self gazing at the clear blue sky and cotton candy clouds.

After so much physical pain, torture and suffering in EMA, I began to appreciate the price of life even more. During war, it may seem that one person is too insignificant to spark change. I have to disagree. If that one person believes in respect over fear, action over words, faith over doubts, his people over himself, compassion over recklessness, hardwork over skill, and forgiveness over grudges, that one person will spark a faint ray of hope in others, empowering them to stand up for themselves and defend their ideals at all costs.

I have no regrets over the course of my life. Given the chance to change one event, I would politely decline. All the mistakes I've made, as a student of EMA, friend, co-defense captain and president, have indefinitely shaped me. All those shortcomings toughened my weak spots and shaped me into a perfect diamond...that's why I shall die, contented with my short life, because I know I've given my best in protecting something that will outlast our individual achievements, that will allow our children and our future children to gaze up at the same sky I am looking at and emulate the heroes who've sacrificed their entire lives and dreams for their sakes.

Thank you for listening to my story, dear reader.

I fall to the ground with honor and dignity by my…side. I hear victory at the gates of EDSOR.

(taken from a Casio voice recorder that had been Jesse’s companion in the brightest and darkest of times)